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Root Pits, To Ventilate.
A gentleman of Oswego county, New York, " J. T., " writes to Farm and Fireside, of Springfield, O., of the importance of ventilating root pits. He says: "I have found, by costly experience, that it is not safe to pile a great quantity of roots together and cover with earth, unless some means of ventilation is provided, such as by carrying one or more pipes, made of drain tile set on end, or narrow boards nailed together, from the center of the heap to the surface. These pipes may be loosely plugged with straw, which will prevent the entrance of frost. I once lost several wagon loads of beets, during a December thaw, by neglecting this precaution. "
Remarks. —This accounts for many "holes" of potatoes and other roots I have seen rotted, undoubtedly, for want of ventilation. I should prefer the small board box, in place of pipes, to run down well into the heap and have holes bored into the sides, to carry off the moisture clear up to the top of the heap, because if there is moisture at the top, the rotting will begin, and thus run downwards, by dripping from the rotting ones, and spoil all.
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